Welcome to the B.C. and Alberta Food System Policy Database

This database is a centralized resource for planners, policy makers, community advocates, local organizations and the policy curious to search for policy precedents and to better understand how local government policy in B.C. and Alberta is addressing local food systems. Search by a range of characteristics to find food system policies that have been adopted by local governments across B.C and Alberta. For more information about using the database and how it was developed see How to use the Database. 

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Institute for Sustainable Food Systems
Displaying 61 - 70 of 268 Results
Topics
Sub Topics

District of North Vancouver Official Community Plan Bylaw 790

Topic(s): Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): farmers' markets, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, urban gardens/orchard

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2011

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

food production;

urban agriculture;

food sales, access and procurement;

urban gardens/orchard;

farmers' markets;

 Encourage sustainable, local food systems through initiatives such as promotion of healthy, local foods and food production, and the facilitation of community gardens, farmers markets, urban agriculture initiatives in appropriate locations.  pg 55 *

food production;

urban agriculture;

 urban gardens/orchard; Integrate opportunities for urban agriculture in planning Town and Village centres.  pg 55  

food access, sales and procurement;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

 partnerships/advocacy/liaising; Collaborate with Vancouver Coastal Health and other community partners in their efforts to provide increased access for all members of the community to safe, nutritious food pg 55  

 

City of New Westminster Mobile Food Vending Licence Bylaw No. 7850

Topic(s): Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topic(s): mobile/street food vending

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: 2016

View policy:  HTML PDF

A bylaw regarding the licensing and regulation of food trucks.

Village of Port Clements Official Community Plan Bylaw #398

Topic(s): Food Production, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): composting, urban gardens/orchard, pesticide and pest management, irrigation and drainage, water restrictions and conservation

Region: Skeena-Queen Charlotte | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2013

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Sub topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

food production;

urban agriculture;

 urban gardens/orchard; Accommodate food production and shared gardening ventures such as cooperatives, village community gardens, and neighbourhood gardens in appropriate areas and in areas designated Resource Areas on Schedule B. 13.1  
water management;

irrigation and drainage;

water restrictions and conservation;

 Ensure that water used for large scale commercial agricultural purposes is from a source other than the Village domestic water supply. 13.3  
waste management; composting; Encourage development of a community green waste and compost facility. 13.4  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; pesticide and pest management; Support the control of invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed which was introduced to the islands in the 1950’s and is becoming a serious problem in  many jurisdictions, through limited and careful chemical treatment as mechanical treatment is not effective for some species. 13.7  

 

Guide for Bylaw Development in Farming Areas

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning

Sub-topic(s): zoning, residential development, siting and coverage

Document Type: Guideline | Year: 2015

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Bylaw standards created to promote consistency among local governments in their treatment of farming activities and to minimize conflict around agricultural uses. They are intended to guide the development of local government bylaws in farming areas.

City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4042

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management

Sub-topic(s): ALR, ALR exclusion, aquaculture, beekeeping/apiculture, buffer at agricultural edge, commercial development, community kitchen, composting, edible landscaping, farmers' markets, food policy council, food processing, food recovery/gleaning/donation, food storage, grocery stores, institutional development, local food culture, local procurement, nuisance complaints, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, pilot project, residential development, tax mechanisms, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

Region: Peace River | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: revised 2010

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
development & productive use of agricultural land; ALR; Encourage and support agricultural uses on ALR lands within and adjacent to the City boundary. 3.16.2  
development & productive use of agricultural land; ALR;
AlR exclusion;		 Discourage unnecessary extension of urban areas into agricultural lands by discouraging ALR exclusion applications. 3.16.3 *
development & productive use of agricultural land;
policy partnerships, advocacy & development;		 ALR:
residential development;
institutional development;
commercial development;
partnerships, advocacy/liaising;		 Collaborate with the ALC to ensure development of ALR land designated for future residential, commercial, and industrial uses occurs in an incremental, orderly manner. 3.17.1  
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;   Ensure agriculture is integrated with development at the City’s edge such that they are mutually-beneficial. Integration considerations include land uses, design strategies, and programs to increase the visibility and experience of urban and regional food systems for residents. 3.17.2  
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;
policy partnerships, advocacy & development;		 buffer at agricultural edge;
nuisance complaints;
ALR;
partnerships, advocacy/liaising;		 Collaborate with the ALC to ensure that the interface between urban and farm areas does not result in excessive trespass or complaints. Urban/rural interface design policies might include, but are not limited to, transitional densities, fencing, residential building setbacks, and vegetative buffering. 3.17.3 *
urban agriculture; edible landscaping;  Encourage planting of edible plant species in lieu of
landscaping in private developments, parks, utility corridors, and local
right-of-ways where appropriate, or require a portion of all
landscaping to include edible plant species. 		 9.1.1 *
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning; buffer at agricultural edge;
urban gardens/orchard;		 Count food production elements, including but limited to:
allotment gardens, community gardens, green walls (i.e. vertical
landscaping), and green roofs toward or in lieu of landscaping or
screening requirements. 		 9.1.2 *
food production;
urban agriculture;		 zoning;
urban gardens/orchard;
aquaculture;
beekeeping/apiculture;		 Permit community gardens, apiculture, and aquaculture
uses in all land uses. 		 9.1.3 *
food production;
urban agriculture;		 urban gardens/orchard; Permit temporary or permanent use of City-owned
vacant lots for community gardens. 		 9.1.4 *
water management; urban gardens/orchard;  Provide water hook-up and secure supply storage area
for community gardening groups on public land. 		 9.1.5 *
food production;
urban agriculture;		 pilot project;
edible landscaping;		   Investigate the feasibility of piloting an edible green roof
project on a municipal building. 		 9.1.6  
food processing storage & distribution; food storage; Provide space in community centres for drop-off and storage of food for Community Supported Agriculture initiatives. 9.2.1 *
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Support and promote the existing Farmer’s Market, and work toward securing a long-term location for it. 9.2.2 *
food processing storage & distribution; food processing; Provide site selection support for food processors considering locating in the community. 9.3.1 *
food processing storage & distribution;
food sales, access and procurement;		 zoning;
food processing;
community kitchen;		 Encourage small-scale community kitchens, food processing facilities, and outdoor community ovens through permissive zoning. 9.3.2 *
food sales, access and procurement; grocery stores; Encourage the establishment of neighbourhood-scale food vendors, including grocery stores and eating establishments. 9.4.1  
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement;
food recovery/gleaning/donation;		 Support links between Dawson Creek’s food emergency organization and local producers. 9.4.3  
food sales, access and procurement; tax mechanisms; Provide incentives such as partial tax exemptions to emergency food organizations to increase their viability and efficacy. 9.4.5 *
  local food culture; Support food fairs and other food-related public events in community facilities, parks, and right-of-ways (e.g. car-free street fairs, as per the Dawson Creek Temporary Road Closure and Event Manual.) 9.5.1  
economic development; local food culture; Continue ongoing support of the “Branding of the Peace” marketing strategy to promote the region and its agricultural products. 9.6.1  
waste management; composting;
residential development;
commercial development;
institutional development;		 Provide multi-season compost facilities in all multi-family developments, and in all commercial, institutional, and industrial developments where food is consumed. 9.7.1 *
waste management;
education;		 composting; Develop a public education and awareness campaign on the importance and benefits of composting. Campaigns should use plain, accessible language. 9.7.2 *
policy partnerships, advocacy & development; food policy council; Where possible, work with the community to develop a Food Policy Council made up of local experts and members of the community, which will advise Council on matters dealing with the local food system. 9.8.1 *
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Where possible, develop and adopt a food procurement policy, which requires that all of the City’s facilities and services involving food include organic, local, healthy, and fair-trade options. 9.8.2  

urban agriculture;

food production;

 urban gardens/orchard;

Community gardens shall be a permitted use in Neighbourhood Parks if organized by a local or neighbourhood society or adjacent institution (school, seniors centre, etc.) and as approved by the City Parks & Recreation Department. If desired by residents, dedicated space for growing food shall be permanent, viable, and determined as follows:

Table 3.

Density (dwelling units/acre)

Dedicated Growing Space m2 (sq ft.)
7 to 14 18 (200sqft.)
> 14 and ≤ 22 9 (100sqft.)
> 22 and ≤ 28 7.5 (80sqft.)
> 28 and ≤ 35 6.5 (70sqft.)
> 35 ) 5.5 (60sqft.
or approx. 3m2 or 40sqft. for each person interested in growing

Appendix 2: Harvest View – Sunset Ridge Neighbourhood Plan

6.10

 *

Village of Alert Bay Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 75

Topic(s): Education, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): hunting/fishing/gathering, urban gardens/orchard

Region: Mount Waddington | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2014

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
education;   Build awareness of food security issues. 9.2.1.11  

food production;

urban agriculture;

 urban gardens/orchard; Support the tradition of backyard food gardening on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.1  

food production;

urban agriculture;

 urban gardens/orchard; Support the establishment and maintenance of a volunteer-operated community garden on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.2  
food production;   Support the establishment of one or more commercial farms on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.3  
food sales, access and procurement;   Support improved local access to bulk and organic foods on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.4  

food sales, access and procurement;

 

 hunting/fishing/gathering; Support local access to sources of wild foods located on, and adjacent to, Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.5  
food production;   Support new and innovative approaches to agriculture and permaculture on Cormorant Island. 9.2.5.6  

 

City of Trail Beekeeping Bylaw No. 2815

Topic(s): Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): beekeeping/apiculture, livestock, pollinators

Region: Kootenay Boundary | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: 2016

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A bylaw to regulate the keeping of bees in the City of Trail.

New Westminster Pesticide Use Bylaw NO. 7288

Topic(s): Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): pesticide and pest management

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: 2008

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A Bylaw to regulate the cosmetic use of pesticides within the City of New Westminster. 

City of New Westminster Water Shortage Response Bylaw NO. 6948

Topic(s): Water Management

Sub-topic(s): water restrictions and conservation

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: 2004 (consolidated 2016)

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A bylaw to regulate water shortage response ikn the city of New Westminster

City of New Westminster Beekeeping Bylaw No. 6648

Topic(s): Food Production, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): beekeeping/apiculture, livestock, pollinators

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: 2000

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A bylaw to regulate beekeeping in the City of New Westminster.